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Traditionally stags can be stalked between July 1 and Oct 20 and hinds from Oct 21 to Feb 15.

The stag shooting season was designed to coincide with the rut when the male animals are at their most active and impressive. The hind shooting season was put in place to allow females to be shot before they become advanced in pregnancy.

Nick Reiter, the secretary of the Deer Commission, said: "We have made a submission to the Scottish Executive on this. One of the most immediate questions is whether we need a closed season for stags at all as there are no real welfare issues involved.

"For hinds there are welfare considerations but there is still a view that the stalking season could still be stretched at either end without causing too many problems."

An increased cull would be supported by environmental groups who are concerned that the number of deer has trebled since the 1960s.

They have argued that the cull should be increased by at least 50 per cent from the record high of more than 71,000 animals in 1999.

Sporting estates could object to changing the system, which has been in place since Victorian times.

Richard Cook, the secretary of the Association of Deer Management Groups, an organisation representing estates, said: "From a welfare point of view it is right that deer have a rest from culling pressure.

"The sporting aspect relates very much to the period of the rut. After that they are run down and need a rest before the winter. Even if they could be shot all year, I don't think many people will want to do so."